Iraqi Bush-shoe-thrower seeks Swiss asylum
Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, who made headlines after throwing his shoes at US president George W. Bush at a press conference in December, is planning to apply for political asylum in Switzerland. Al-Zaidi, who has been held in Iraq awaiting trial for the act, has reportedly suffered injuries to his eye, broken ribs, and internal bleeding in the Baghdad prison where he is being held. His lawyers say that “his life could become hell in his own country” if he stays. His lawyer, Mauro Poggia, says that he is seeking asylum on grounds that his life would be in danger if he were to remain in Iraq.